China-aid institute project handed over to Nepal

KATHMANDU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government handed over the Banepa Polytechnic Institute project to the Nepali government on Friday afternoon in Nepali capital Kathmandu.

The institute has been constructed with the assistance from the Chinese government.

The delivery and handing over ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance of Nepal, attended by Zheng Xianglin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nepal and Vidyadhar Malik, Secretary of Ministry of Finance of Nepal, among others.

Ambassador Zheng and Mr. Mallik signed the delivery and handing over documents on behalf of their respective governments at the ministry.

"Education is the very foundation on which people build their country. The Chinese government and people will continue to provide support to the development of different undertaking of Nepal including education within our capacity," Ambassador Zheng said on the occasion.

The assistance agreement for the implementation of various projects including the construction of this institute was signed and exchanged between Chinese and Nepali governments in 2001.

Establishment of this institute is expected to develop technical manpower. For this purpose, the institute will operate three-year diploma courses on electronics, information technology, computer engineering, travel and tourism, and beautician and cosmetology. Apart from this, it will also extend facilities to conduct various relevant short courses for Nepali people, a press release issued by Nepali finance ministry said.

"The Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China for this grant assistance for the construction of the Banepa Polytechnic Institute and for the continued support to the socio-economic development of Nepal," the press release said.